Family ‘so proud’ of JW Hunt Cup plaque honour
A commemorative plaque paying tribute to an historic amateur football competition has been unveiled by the founder’s family.
The JW Hunt Cup has run every season since 1926/27 and has raised more than £320,000 for the Beacon Centre for the Blind in that time.
It features clubs from across the West Midlands and each year the final is held at Molineux.
Now it has been commemorated with a blue plaque, facilitated by Wolverhampton Civic and Historical Society, which was unveiled at Wolves’ stadium on Thursday.
In the coming days it will be installed in its permanent location on the wall of the Wolverhampton City Archives, which are housed at the former Molineux Hotel.
It was at the hotel that the competition’s inaugural meeting was held. Present at the unveiling service were two descendants of the cup’s founder, John William Hunt, who was a local businessman and benefactor.
He founded the local Chillington Tool Company in 1892 and was known to promote good working conditions for his staff.
His great-grandson, Jon Hunt, said: “Today we are totally proud.
“It was only a few years ago I was doing family research and I discovered about JW Hunt and the connection to this cup.
“I realised it was still being played and got in touch with the organisers and they have kept me informed with developments ever since.”
Tim Hunt, JW Hunt’s great-great-grandson, added: “We are still very much learning all about him and the cup but there is no doubt we are incredibly proud. He appears to have been so well respected by his workers.”
The first ever JW Hunt cup final was played at Molineux on Thursday, April 14, 1927, with Short Heath United beating Cannon 2-0. The attendance was over 1,000 and £13 9s (£13.45) was raised.
JW Hunt died before the final took place but his legacy has been the competition and the money it has raised for the blind and partially-sighted.
This season’s final was won by Alvechurch FC who defeated Wednesfield FC 4-1.
Cup president Alex Hamil said: “What makes this cup so special is the people. Everyone around here knows someone who had played in it whether it be their granddad or their cousin.
“Every year more than 1,000 people turn up to watch the final even if their team is not in it. It is part of Wolverhampton’s history.”
